SATURN HAS AN ALL-NEW OUTLOOK

New crossover SUV offers great looks, eight-passenger seating and refinement

NEW YORK – Saturn today unveiled the all-new Outlook crossover SUV at the New York International Auto Show. Outlook offers seating for up to eight and combines the capability of an SUV with carlike driving characteristics. Its contemporary styling represents the new face of Saturn design.

Engineered to provide an ideal balance of style, size and capability, the Outlook is the latest all-new product that is expanding Saturn’s product lineup. It joins the Sky and Sky Red Line roadsters, Aura sedan and Vue Green Line hybrid, all of which hit Saturn showrooms this year. The Sky already is on sale.

“Saturn’s portfolio of vehicles has never been broader, more diverse or more refined,” said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn general manager. “Outlook blends a new dimension of capability with optimal proportions, a stable stance and distinctive design .”

Outlook features a body-frame integral design than enables lower step-in heights and generous interior space. Outlook offers three rows of seating, with the third row capable of comfortably seating adults – and with usable storage space behind the third-row seat. Access to the third-row seat is made easier with an articulated, industry-first Smart Slide ® second-row seat feature.

Powering the Outlook is the GM 3.6L V-6 VVT. The engine features variable valve timing, designed for high fuel economy, low emissions and exceptional smoothness. The uplevel XR model (with dual exhaust) provides an estimated 267 horsepower (199 kw) and 247 lb.-ft. of torque (335 Nm). The single-exhaust XE model is rated at an estimated 265 horsepower (198 kw) and 244 lb.-ft (331 Nm) of torque. The engine is backed by a new, fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission. Outlook is available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models.

Production of the Outlook will begin in the fourth quarter of this year at GM’s new Lansing Delta Township ( Mich.) assembly plant.

Design

The Outlook features Saturn’s striking new design language, which was first introduced on the Sky roadster. It has an instantly identifiable face, highlighted with a bright grille bar that is flanked by large, jewel-like lighting elements. The headlamps use projector beam technology to deliver bright, precise lighting. High-intensity discharge lamps are available.

The profile of the Outlook is sleek and aerodynamic, with a sporty, tapered roof line. The rear glass wraps around the corners and is angled slightly toward the roof, enhancing the vehicle’s flowing lines. Distinctive chrome-highlighted horizontal tail lamps, a rear spoiler with LED center high-mounted stop lamp and chrome door handles are design cues that reinforce the Outlook’s premium appearance, while large 18-inch wheels and tires (19-inch wheels are available) contribute to the vehicle’s optimal proportions.

Interior

Like the exterior design, Outlook’s interior exudes style and refinement. A carlike “low and away” instrument panel enhances the feeling of openness in the front-row seats and provides a commanding view out of the windshield. The instrument panel and other interior elements feature high-quality, low-gloss materials and tight tolerances.

Outlook can be configured for seven or eight passengers, including two front bucket seats, a 60/40-split second-row bench (three passengers) or two second-row captain’s chairs (two passengers) and a 60/40-split third-row bench seat (three passengers). Leather seating surfaces are available.

GM’s industry-first Smart Slide feature is standard on all second-row configurations, allowing quick and easy access to the third-row seating area. The second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, effectively compressing the space occupied by the seat. It operates with one hand and enables adjustable fore/aft positioning of the second-row seat. When adjusted rearward, the second-row seat provides more legroom for taller passengers; when adjusted forward, it provides more storage space.

Outlook also offers generous cargo room, including an estimated 116.9 cu. ft. (3310.6 L) when the second- and third-row seats are folded. In fact, Outlook even offers an estimated 19.7 cu. ft. (557.9 L) of cargo space behind third-row seat when it’s in its upright position – capacity many other SUVs and crossovers cannot come close to matching. Also, a covered rear cargo convenience center allows items to be stored out of sight beneath the rear cargo floor. In addition, Outlook’s second- and third-row seats fold flat for even more cargo-carrying capacity.

Chassis and suspension

Outlook rides on a long, 118.9-inch (3020.7 mm) wheelbase and wide, 67.28-inch (1709 mm) front/rear tracks – a combination that enables an exceptionally smooth ride and stable handling. Sharp ride and handling reflexes also are supported by independent front and rear suspensions. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar. Isolated mounting points help reduce noise and vibration. The rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art linked “H” design, which also has an isolated mounting system that reduces noise and vibration transmitted to the passenger compartment.

A strong body-frame integral structure is the foundation for Outlook’s responsive chassis systems. The structure is reinforced in numerous areas with high-strength steel, including a stiff steel cross-car beam welded across the floor between the B-pillars. It also uses dual-phase steel is select areas, such as the lower engine compartment rails.

Safety

Saturn Outlook is designed to protect passengers before, during and after a crash. A strong structure is the foundation and it is augmented by a wide stance and low center of gravity that reduces the likelihood of a rollover. Outlook’s responsive four-wheel independent steering system also enhances safety by providing stable ride and handling characteristics. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard.

Outlook is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags for the driver and front passenger, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two head curtain side-impact air bags that cover all three seating rows. The head curtain air bags are among the longest air bags in any production vehicle. Complementing the air bags is GM’s rollover sensing system, which can preemptively activate the side-impact air bags if sensors determine a rollover is imminent. In the event of a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant containment and because rollovers are typically longer in duration than non-rollover crashes.

Outlook also comes standard with OnStar Generation 6 (with a one-year Safe and Sound plan), which features the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system. AACN makes crash data available to participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate live-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.

Comfort and convenience

Rounding the appeal of the Outlook is a wide range of attractive optional and standard equipment, including ultrasonic parking assist, power liftgate, remote vehicle start, heated windshield fluid, DVD entertainment system and DVD navigation system.

where's the "this thread is useless without pictures" smilie when you need it...

Keep refreshing, guys, keep refreshing

GL-CLASS! that's what the outlook reminds me of (from the front)

not a bad thing, but the interior is way better than the Benz anyways!

Looks great...very distinctive, and looks NOTHING like the Enclave. The wood trim layout on the dash and doors tells me someone has been looking inside Acuras...

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by moltar

oooooooh yeah!

I think the exterior looks fantastic. It looks sporty and much more butch than I thought it would.

The side view reminds me alot of the toyota sequoia. I'm a little underwhelmed by the dash, its nice but boring.

I am really surprised by the amount of rear seat room and cargo room with the third row up.

Right, I don't see the Buick Enclave in this or vice versa (but something about the side does remind me of something else). I wouldn't call the Outlook beautiful; Buick has that covered.

the dash isn't contemporary enough for the saturn brand but it is nice as a GMC or something. I like the exterior except the front beak is slightly awkward. the badge engineered ubiquitous steering wheels is a letdown.

I hope it sells well, it looks like a nice package. its not hip enough to pull sales from Toyo and VW though, it still looks too old school GM

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by regfootball

Looks great...very distinctive, and looks NOTHING like the Enclave.  The wood trim layout on the dash and doors tells me someone has been looking inside Acuras...

haha especially that bright beige color. A+

the dash isn't contemporary enough for the saturn brand but it is nice as a GMC or something.  I like the exterior except the front beak is slightly awkward.  the badge engineered ubiquitous steering wheels is a letdown.

I hope it sells well, it looks like a nice package.  its not hip enough to pull sales from Toyo and VW though, it still looks too old school GM

Oh, as far as the dash, you would prefer the gauges in the center like the Ion? Would that be contemporary enough for you?

2nd row seats look annoying low like nearly all GM products continually are......I'm so sick of GM cars with mushy soft backseats where your knees are in your face and you have no toe space.

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by regfootball

Oh, as far as the dash, you would prefer the gauges in the center like the Ion?  Would that be contemporary enough  for you?

blow it our your pie hole...

the shapes and forms are a bit bloated. the gauges look ok, but the forms look too plump.

maybe they just need to get rid of the PLOOD and switch to something metallic.....

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by regfootball

Sorry... the front isn't really working for me... I smell a Relay...

Right, I don't see the Buick Enclave in this or vice versa (but something about the side does remind me of something else).  I wouldn't call the Outlook beautiful; Buick has that covered.

I see a little of the Equinox/Torrent in the greenhouse, and some Sequia in the rear quarters..

Hmm, I'm suprisingly underwhelmed by the exterior. It's not bad but I was expecting something...edgier with the front and rear clips. The interior is fantastic, though.

I just get a big, steaming load of "meh" I'm not too impressed, it seems bland enough to sell yet stylish enough to sell, so I think it'll sell.

Oh, wow, it's nice. I like it. I think it's better than the Enclave, and it's much more interesting than the AURA. You can tell that there's a degree of depth to the exterior design, and I like some of the pre-Opel, true-Saturn, Saturn Curve details. And the powertrain looks fully competitive.

The interior is too-Korean and second-tier. But, yeah, the exterior is great!

Man, I could look at this all day long. I have a feeling it'll take away a lot of urban Suburan buyers.

Still looking...

i totally love it....i wonder though what type of fuel economy it'll boast?

OOPSY...on the mpg! not too bad, but not too good either imo. hopefully the masses will think otherwise.

About the chrome bar in the grille. Saturn needs to either have it extend all the way to the top, or have it lower, so there's more of an obviously intentional gap. Because the current design just makes it look like the hood isn't closed.

Other than that nit-pick, I don't have much to complain about. The Outlook looks great.

Not bad at all, but gawd, just think about how that center stack would look like without nav! Not that it even looks all that great with nav...

Not bad at all, but gawd, just think about how that center stack would look like without nav! Not that it even looks all that great with nav...

It'll prolly look just like AURA's...

i think they'll sell alot with NAV's for this "family" target audience.

It screamed Honda at me from the front quarter shot.

At least thats my first impression.

Is that upper portion of the interior blueish?

It screamed Honda at me from the front quarter shot.

At least thats my first impression.

Is that upper portion of the interior blueish?

I can't figure that color scheme out either.

the cream/brown interior gets my vote (that backseat shot)

Too much like the old Vue, and not enough like the next Vue.

I'll agree with most of the journalists who got an advanced peek at this vehicle - its good but not great.

At first glance on the C&G homepage, I immediately thought of the Chevrolet Traverse concept from way back. Which is not a bad thing, but that was what, 1999? 2000? I also noticed that the engineers got their way with the jumbled fog lights...definitely a compromise there. Speaking of which, this design does not look very well integrated...it's not ION bad but it seems to share the overall poorly integrated look of the new Kia Sportage. It looks like it was designed in thirds - front, middle, rear, and then melted together...but that just me being critical.

I do like the rear. It really looks like what a Saturn should be...nice wraparound glass, jeweled lights, taut curves, discreet bumper...very nice. The interior gets a kudos as well. Definitely not innovative, definitely a VW-ripoff...but that's no bad thing! Just wish GM could start with some fresher ideas...

The front is just a sore spot. The headlights look like an afterthought, the fog lights show that engineering won, the grill is too Chevy, and the look is too Traverse.

But here's something I really like...it's completely different in look from the Enclave. And that's something I didn't expect. So a big Cheers for the folks who pushed for that one.

Overall: B-...good, but not enough...

It looks strong and sporty to me, and I don't usually care for crossovers. Very nice.

I agree with TED, it looks Honda-like. Which is ok, but I was expecting more. The Buick Enclave is a lot better looking-wise.

WOW! I love it! It's beautiful!

Looks better than the Enclave IMO

This looks nicer than I had expected. The interior is nicer than the Aura, IMO.

most important part

In addition, Outlook’s second- and third-row seats fold flat for even more cargo-carrying capacity.

Tahoe doesn't do that.

Hmm...interesting, but it looks to have one of the WORST cases of GMCSS (GM center stack syndrome) EVER. A nice interior, then you see that huge black block...

The outside is more detailed than usual for GM, but also a tad awkward...somehow doesn't look anything like the covered up mules we've seen...

most important part

In addition, Outlook’s second- and third-row seats fold flat for even more cargo-carrying capacity.

Tahoe doesn't do that.

Great point, and something I was expecting.

Might be a point that makes mom forget her plans for another Suburban/Tahoe, and go for one of these Lambas, though I think the Buick is the only one she could stand to look at...

(chime in)

Wow, guys - this is really nice stuff. It stacks up well next to the bland-looking Pilot, which could be its primary competition. And interior refinement looks spot-on. I'm pleased, too, with the differentiation between it and the Enclave.

Go GM!

Any pictures out there that don't make the whole interior look high gloss

I like it. Subdued styling but still strong and muscular. Maybe not quite Euro enough for some but still nice looking.

Looks good. I can see similarities w/the enclave in the interior especially with the center stack. Just the lower portion of it though.

Good job GM!

I don't know...I'm really disliking how all doors besides the driver's have one time arm-rest, and the drivers doors another...the imbalance bothers me...

Looks a bit weird: I was expecting more of an "Opel" look. That said, I like the fact that it doesn't look like a Saturn nose gratfed into a Enclave body. GM did a great job differentiating the 2 and I'm having a good feeling about the Acadia looking different from both the Enclave and the Outlook.

Damn...that CANNOT be a Saturn...but it is.

Wooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...I'm impressed.

Overall I think it looks very nice. I didn't know what to expect, and didn't think it would be anything outrageous either. And usually cars look a lot better in person. Sure there's some key area's I'd change but you can do that with any car.

You know, it's still a basic SUV/minivan shape but yet it has a lot of little curves and design features that I haven't seen on similar vehicles yet. I think that intregues me the most about it.

I could see myself driving one of these.... nice exhaust tip BTW!

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by BuddyP

The interior is almost amazing. I think the center stack brings it down a tad but it almost blends together well. Great design cues from the Lexus LS. The interior is a huge selling point; GM did its homework.

The exterior, on the other hand, is just ho-hum. There is a huge mash of different cars. I see MDX (lower sides), Relay (front), GL (rear 3/4) and 4Runner (sides). The rear lights and exhaust are pretty cool, though. I also get a weird 'Nox/Torrent vibe from it, too.

Edit: Overall, I think it is a better execution than the Aura.

Edited April 11, 200619 yr by sciguy_0504

Bravo Saturn, bravo! You have a great design, vast cargo (and probably passenger) space-looks great! Finally, an initial (and hopefully all around) winner since Equinox!

I think this will conquest sales like CRAZY!!!!

Notice, a lot of the more 'import oriented' posters here seem to like it a lot.

I like the Enclave better, but I think this is impressive and very funky/cool. I LOVE the fact that it's a little bulky and hulking and looks different. (Toyota does this with ALL of their products, and guess what, it sells well!)

FINALLY!!!!! GM put the GM badge where it NEEDS to be!!!!!

And what is it with the UGLY Saturn wheels now?!?!?! Someone needs to keep LUTZ out of the wheel studio! No more Chrysler 55 spoke bland ass gray wheels... They look $h!ty on the Aura, they look $h!ty on the Outlook, they look $h!ty on the Cadillac V cars and they look $h!ty on the Cadillac accessory cars... ENOUGH ALREADY LUTZ!!! That's ONE thing GM did well before you came. WHEELS.

P.S. You guys keep in mind that this IS GM photography... I'm sure it'll look 3X better in person and in a different color. REMEMBER: The GM photographers even made the Solstice look like $h!.

I'm noticing on these new Saturns... so much for piano black center treatment.

the back reminds me of a navigator the whole thing reminds me of a highlander and the front reminds me of an rx-8